Returning to action in the UEFA Champions League, FC Porto will be looking to pick up where they left off in their last match. Defeating Turkish side Galatasaray last time out, Porto will now look to maintain their lead at the top of Group D as they head west to Russia where they will take on the defending Russian Premier Liga Champions, Lokomotiv Moscow.
Porto Head to Russia to Take on Lokomotiv Moscow
Now or Never for Lokomotiv Moscow in the Champions League
Sitting bottom of Group D with zero points from their first two Champions League matches, Lokomotiv Moscow have fully struggled to gain any sort of form so far this season. Suffering a 3-0 loss on the opening matchday of the group stage against Galatasaray, Lokomotiv Moscow would return to their home pitch on matchday two only to lose 1-0 to German club Schalke.
Making matters worse up to this point for the defending Russian Premier Liga Champions was their league form. Winning only two of their opening seven league matches this year, Lokomotiv looked to be a club lost at sea. However, recently, things have gradually begun to improve for the Russian side.
Defeating their last three league opponents by a combined scoreline of 6-1, Lokomotiv have turned things around. Included in their recent results is a 1-0 victory on the road against fellow Champions League Group Stage side CSKA Moscow, something that proves Lokomotiv has made some gradual improvements. Now facing off against Porto in the Champions League, Lokomotiv find themselves in a now or never situation as far as qualifying for the knockout rounds go.
Porto Seeking to Maintain Lead Atop Group D
Entering this match against Lokomotiv Moscow following their 6-0 drubbing of lower division side Vila Real in the Taça de Portugal, Porto enter the match facing a couple of issues, the biggest of which is that their match against Vila Real was their only match in the last two weeks. Prior to that, Porto’s latest league result was a 1-0 loss to fellow Portuguese powerhouse Benfica.
That said, Porto have already made it clear that they are one of the top two sides in the Champions League Group D. Earning a draw in Germany against Schalke on the group stage’s opening matchday, Porto shot to the top of Group D with their 1-0 home victory over Galatasaray last time out in the Champions League.
Now facing off against last-place Lokomotiv in this match, Porto are seeking to maintain their lead at the top of Group D. Making this match even more important for Porto is the fact that it’s their second of three road matches in the group stage. A result here clearly sets the Portuguese side up to eventually finish top of the group and progress into the Champions League Knockout Rounds.
Key Players
Grzegorz Krychowiak Must Keep Lokomotiv Sound at the Back
Possessing experience in both the international and continental game, Grzegorz Krychowiak is someone that Lokomotiv will look towards constantly in the Champions League. A defensive midfielder by trade, the Polish international is arguably the most well-known player in the Russian side’s squad.
With Lokomotiv Moscow’s main issue at times this season being goals allowed, it will be up to Krychowiak to help keep the Russian side sound at the back. Keeping the Porto attack at arms reach and playing that extremely important defensive midfield role, Krychowiak will need to have a good match if Lokomotiv are to finally find their footing in the Champions League.
Yacine Brahimi Looks to Continue Top Role
Playing along the left side of the midfield so far this season for FC Porto, Yacine Brahimi has been one of the Portuguese clubs most consistent performers so far this season. Having netted three goals so far this campaign, Brahimi is Porto’s third top goalscorer this season. Likely looked upon to help lead in both the midfield and attack for this match, Brahimi should play an important role for Porto.
With the club having scored just a single goal in each of their first two Champions League matches, Brahimi will need to get himself into good positions against Lokomotiv. Whether it be firing crosses into the box or going alone, the Algerian international will be counted on to help link the midfield to the attack, something Porto will need both in this match and for the remainder of the Champions League.
Prediction
Based on their earlier performances this season, Porto would have entered this match as the clear favorite. However, seeing as Porto last competitive match came on October 7th while Lokomotiv Moscow have finally found their top form, this match will likely be an extremely competitive one. With both teams looking for three points here, this match should definitely be one to enjoy.
Prediction: Lokomotiv Moscow 2-2 FC Porto
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